Number 191
December 6, 1996

Public Relations Office,Ministry of Agriculture,Forestry and Fisheries
Kasumigaseki 1-2-1,Chiyoda-ku,Tokyo 100
Tel:81-3-3591-2874 Fax:81-3-3501-3720
Editor.Kazuyuki Tsurumi

The government purchases rice from producers who implement production adjustments or from entities to whom these producers have consigned the sale of their rice. Rice purchased by the government is stockpiled to ensure stability of supply, demand and price.

Also on November 28, MAFF announced the Guideline on Production and Shipment of Rice. According to the Guideline, the total rice supply in the 1997 rice year (November 1, 1996 - sOctober 31, 1997) will be 13,770,000 tons, of which domestically produced rice will account for 10,320,000 tons, stockpiled domestic rice from the 1996 rice year 2,940,000 tons and imported rice 510,000 tons. Demand for table rice will be between 9,750,000 and 9,850,000 tons, while demand for rice for processing and other uses will be between 900,000 and 950,000 tons. As a consequence, stockpiles at October 31, 1997, will be between 3,000,000 and 3,100,000 tons. In the 1998 rice year, the total supply will be between 13,400,000 and 13,500,000 tons, of which 9,780,000 tons will be domestically produced, assuming normal weather conditions. Demand for table rice will be between 9,700,000 and 9,800,000 tons, while that for processing and other uses will be between 750,000 and 800,000 ton, leaving a stockpile of between 2,800,000 and 2,900,000 tons at the end of October 1998.

For further information, please contact the Policy and Planning divisions of the Food Agency at (03) 3501-3884 or (03) 3501-3798.

The Japan-Korea Technical Cooperation Committee for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries was established in 1968, a result of the second Japan-Korea periodic ministerial conference, to promote mutual technical cooperation and to contribute to the development of agriculture, forestry and fisheries in both countries. In addition to the committee's regular agenda - which includes agricultural research cooperation, programs aimed at the exchange of seed and the sharing of technical information - the recent meeting focused on the issue of sustainable agriculture, with the delegations airing views on environmental policies in both countries. Korea has announced that it will join the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). Accordingly, Japan presented some of the OECD's ideas on sustainable agriculture.

Given that the Joint Study Project for the Improvement of Technologies for Environmentally Sound and Sustainable Agriculture - a technical cooperation project in Korea funded by Japan's Official Development Assistance program - will end in October 1997, the delegations agreed to launch a new research collaboration project in fiscal 1997. This project, which will be funded by both countries, will focus on sustainable utilization and public concerns, such as environmental conservation.

The delegations concluded proceedings by agreeing to hold the committee's 30th annual meeting in 1998, in Seoul.

For further information, please contact the Technical Cooperation Division of the Economic Affairs Bureau at (03) 3501-7403.

Summary of Proceedings

1. Country Reports
   Each delegation presented a report on the state of agriculture and agricultural statistics in its country. Following these reports, participants agreed that environmental statistics would also be addressed in country reports at the next session.
2. World Census of Agriculture 2000
   The FAO reported on its efforts to prepare for the World Census of Agriculture 2000, which is expected to be the most comprehensive census of its kind ever in terms of the number of countries participating. The commission requested the FAO also take leadership in advising countries on guidelines and methodological procedures for the collection of statistics related to aquaculture and study the possibility of including capture fisheries in census statistics in the future.
3. Exchange of Agricultural Statistics and Information
   The commission recognized the importance of exchanging agricultural statistics and information via worldwide computer networks, such as the Internet, and recommended that the FAO develop a plan of action to assist and advise countries that are or will soon be on line.
4. Promotion of International Cooperation
   Japan proposed further promotion of cooperation in the field of agricultural statistics and information, and suggested setting up a Statistics and Information Center for Agriculture and Food for the Asia-Pacific region. The commission encouraged the FAO's regional office to formulate a concrete plan of action for implementing Japan's proposal when Japan receives the necessary domestic budget approval.
5. Farm Economy Survey
   A brief presentation on Japan's farm economy survey was given.

For further information, please contact the Office of International Affairs of the Statistics and Information Department at (03) 3502-5946.

STATISTICS

1. Summary of the Survey of Intent Regarding Employment in Agricultural Holdings, 1996.
2. Statistical Research on the Farm Economy, July 1996. (Preliminary; includes index of consumption levels in rural areas.)
3. Preliminary Statistical Report on the Marketing of Vegetables and Fruit, middle 10 days of November 1996.
4. Statistics on Lumber, October 1996.
5. Statistics on Plywood, October 1996.
6. Prices of Lumber, as of November 15, 1996.

1. All materials are in Japanese unless otherwise noted.
2. The contacts may not be able to respond to inquiries in any language except Japanese.

To MAFF UPDATE Menu

To MAFF HomePage